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<br />2 Site Observations <br /> <br />2.1 TYPICAL PRE-FIRM AND POST-FIRM CONSTRUCTION <br /> <br />Typical pre-TIRM structures in the study area are one-story concrete block or wood-frame <br />structures built on slab-on-grade foundations, one- to three-story concrete block structures, and <br />one- to three-story wood-frame structures founded on timber piles. Many of these structures are <br />behind concrete sheetpile seawalls. Many pre-TIRM structures were substantially damaged by the <br />surge accompanying the storm event and were often destroyed because of foundation collapse, <br />wave attack, or both. <br /> <br />Typical post-TIRM structures in the study area are one-, two-, and three-story wood-frame <br />structures elevated on timber or concrete pile foundations. Some of these are new structures that <br />either incorporate older, pre-TIRM structures or were built over them. Post-TIRM elevated <br />structures sustained some wind and flood damage but, overall, performed much better than pre- <br />FIRM structures that were at--grade or that were elevated but not to the BFE or CCCL <br />requirements. <br /> <br />2.2 OBSERVATIONS OF WIND DAMAGE <br /> <br />Wind damage observed by the BPAT was generally confined to roofing shingles and tiles, <br />exterior sheathing, unsecured air conditioning compressors, power poles and lines, and signs. <br />However, the wind damage observed did not constitute a large portion of the total damage to <br />structures. <br /> <br />2.3 OBSERVATIONS OF FLOOD DAMAGE <br /> <br />flood damage was observed along the Gulf of Mexico shoreline at all sites visited by the <br />BPAT (see Figures 2-1 and 2-2). Structures damaged by flood forces generally fell into the <br />following categories: <br /> <br />. pre-TIRM structures founded on slabs or shallow footings and located in mapped V-Zones <br /> <br />. post-FIRM structures in mapped A-Zones, B-Zones, C-Zones, and X-Zones founded on slabs <br />or shallow footings, but exposed to high-velocity flows, high-velocity wave action, flood- <br />induced erosion, floodborne debris, or burial by overwash <br /> <br />. post-TIRM elevated structures not properly constructed or not elevated to or above the <br />elevation reached by storm surge and wave effects <br /> <br />. pre- and post-TIRM structures dependent, in part or completely, on failed seawalls or <br />bulkheads for protection and foundation support. <br /> <br />2-1 <br /> <br />HURRICANE OPAL IN FLOR'DA <br />